The basement.
So, this is basically part 4. {Backstory with more links into our crazy adventure/main living plans/the cesspool/upstairs plans}
pssst- to see the final reveal of it all, check it out here!
“The Basement” Could basically be a clever scary book turned movie in which I could make millions with a main character like Norman Bates from Psycho meets Annie Wilkes from Misery with that clown from It thrown in for good measure who comes out of the crawlspace at night. Because this is the scariest part of this entire house. The ending would end all weird and vague like the witch movie that I can no longer be bothered to google that I saw on an awkward date with a guy who I thought was ‘just my friend’ in college. Turns out, it was actually a date so thus the awkwardness. Anyway, if I remember correctly, they’re capturing it on their camera, and everyone is standing in the corner and sticks are hanging from the ceiling and that’s how it ends. Because duh, sequels.
Once upon a time, I watched scary movies like they were going out of style. And it hit me somewhere in my late twenties that I have real fears like laundry and stomach bugs where kids vomit everywhere alternating on schedule and sometimes simultaneously because that actually happens. And grammatical errors and hashtag aintnobodygottimeforfreddykrueger. Or the lost sleep that ensues from watching said movie. And instead of the casting call of psycho characters, it’s two unassuming dorks like us who see the potential past the weird floor stains and bad smell/totally sketch crawlspace.
End scene one, because we’re the suckers who purchased the house and clearly, I can’t get past the crawlspace. Because if there was ever an adequate before photo for the whole shindig, it’s this. This horribly dark photo pretty much captures what’s down there. The end.
Can’t you see the potential?! Isn’t it gloriously surreal and other obnoxious I-bought-this-house now-watch-my-trainwreck phrases?
We’re so ‘all in’ at this point, that if when tearing down the walls a body fell out, I would keep going after calling the appropriate authorities. {And asking for a refund from previous owner} I know that’s not how it works, but it’s what I’m telling myself in case a skeleton really does pop out of the pool.
Luckily for my children I don’t tell them what I’m actually thinking because they inherited that overactive imagination from me and it’s one thing I won’t traumatize them with. Instead, I mutter things like, Just remember our old house and know that this will be past that level of things you love. I PROMISE.
But we all know that basically, that’s for me because the other day we were cleaning out the storage shed and I looked at Jamin who had two dead brown recluse spiders hanging off his baseball cap from the fogging we’d just completed and said, “Did we really just buy this?” The psyche is affected when one is still waiting on inspections. Yes, we’re still waiting on that inspection before we begin. And for the brown recluses to die. Seriously.
So here it is when you actually turn on the lights. A barrage of bad lighting, wiring, and things we inherited not-so-willingly from a past owner who just couldn’t be bothered to move crap.
We’re basically waiting for the dumpster to show up so we can heave it all in there. But I am contemplating saving that giant metal desk because it has potential. But also aintnobodygottimeforthat either. No, I will never ever stop using that phrase, especially as one big run on word. Kimberly Wilkins is my hero.
But back to the desk: Anyone know what kind it is or what it’s called or where I might find a missing handle? This is what I do instead of googling. I ask you things because someone knows. Wait for it…
So as you can see, once completed, we will have plenty of square footage in this house. We plan to redo/clean out and reseal all the insulation, remove the bad wiring, and replace those garage doors which are total death traps. I’m pretty sure those were in Scream 6 or something where people are running and then smushed in the door. Because that makes us nervous with children. There is no safety reversal thingy on those doors. They’re all BAM you’re DEAD. Instead, they’ll be replaced with some big fat pretty windows to give the basement a not-so-scary feel.
Also, things like the stairs will be brought up to code, and adequate lighting added. And I’m pretty sure more brown recluses will die. And those sketchy pipes have got to go.
Drywall and flooring, here we come.
This particular door is also going, as one will be beside the windows for the main exit and entry into the house. We plan to add a separate garage {think modern carriage house style} down the line, since we do have some space on the land. We may be whipping this puppy into shape with our initial overhaul, but we have projects for years to come, y’all. So here’s what we have now…
And here’s what we plan on doing:
This will probably be the hardest working space in the entire house.
As we mentioned in our upstairs post, between the pool and the basement, we want this to be an area where the kids will be when they’re teens. But this space also has a lot of jobs.
The entire space will need drywall, and flooring.
If you read our past posts {linked above} you probably realize there isn’t a laundry room, or much storage in the house. So, we plan on adding a wall to really meet our needs and build out, instead. We plan to go with a tankless heater to free up some much needed space in that corner. And we want to have our washer and dryer stacked this time, so that we can free up more space, as well.
We also hope to have more storage downstairs for odds and ends. And store our additional fridge for refreshments for the kids.
We hope to have a sliding door for that wall, so that we can make the space more open if we wish. And close it off when laundry is going and the kids want to watch a movie. Having the laundry and storage open aren’t an issue for us, as it was open in our last house as well. I’m a big believer in the whole know thyself mantra, this will keep me from stuffing all the things, while just keeping the essentials/making it attractive.
We hope for the space to also supply a built in area for entertainment and game storage. A study area for desks and homework where they may have a quiet retreat when needed. And a hall tree beside the main entry as this will be our main entrance in and out of the house.
This room will also probably be our main guest room when we have guests in town, so we hope to add a comfy sleeper sofa when needed.
Like we said, lots of jobs with a big list. But also, lots of potential. A bonus room on roids for all the elements the upper levels lack.
So these are our first set of initial plans for the basement area. We’re busy picking out finishes, and while we wrote that in the first post, we’re hoping demo actually starts THIS WEEK. FOR REAL THIS TIME. That’s me, yelling at the construction universe and all things code. And inspections. Let’s do this thing.
We’re really hoping to take it from the whole triple-homicide-clown-in-a-crawlspace vibe, to multifunctional welcoming non-murderous family area.
Have you guys ever gone through the rehab of a home? Hello projects and work and hello rewards! We love the idea of it all and infusing a little love into it as we go. What did you learn from it all? We’d love to hear from you!
Alexis says
You have me on the floor. This is so funny! It looks like the basement has a lot of potential once you get past well, everything? You’ve got this!
Janet says
Hilarious! Can’t wait to see what you do!
Carrie says
The executive style steel frame desk was created primarily as a resting spot for old style refrigerator magnets!! When the refrigerator got too full of magnets, the desk became the new place to hang them. 🙂
Can’t wait to see your finished room, minus the spiders.
Anna says
Love. Sometimes I read your posts just because they make me laugh. And that’s a compliment
Ginger Kohler says
My husband purchased three similar desks from the company he used to work for. (retired) They were surplus then as the company was renovating. They weigh a ton and hold a bunch of stuff. Not a designers dream for sure. My dad was retired military and those desks were abundant in his office.
Carol McKay says
Looks lovely. Have you considered a bathroom for your reno?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Carol! Yes, we addressed that issue in the past posts, but because of the land/septic system and what it will perc for, we plan to add another main level bathroom {also accessible from the outside/pool area} with the master addition, rather than the basement.
Jamie says
The desks are normally called “Tanker” desks. The are well built, solid and last forever. Check out this site: http://www.retrooffice.com/ probably worth listing on craigslist at least
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you SO much for letting me know, Jamie! It may be worth looking into, for sure!
Gaines says
There is a part of me that really hopes you find something “interesting” in that crawl space and I truly hope Jamin captures your reaction on video. If not, I’ll settle for the amazingness you’ll create and love every detail of it, I’m sure.
ashley @ the handmade home says
HAHA! Wish me luck! My friend sent me a photo of a clown yesterday, and asked if this is what I found. And I said, “WHY would you do that to me?!” the clown was terrifying. Nightmares soon to follow. ;}
Nina T says
ah, yes, the Tanker desks. I love those things. Keep in and work it in. Just make sure to put it somewhere it won’t need to be moved again — ever, if possible.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much! I definitely like the desk, just don’t think we’re going to have the space for it. On craigslist it shall go! ;}
Amy says
What are your plans for ceiling? Will you be able to drywall or will you have to get creative? Basement ceilings are sometimes little boogers.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I know. We definitely are planning to drywall – I was afraid that wasn’t possible but we have been told it is. So if not, we will definitely need to be coming up with another viable solution. This entire ceiling is tricky… and the holes that were previously punched into that insulation haven’t made me feel any better about it – ha!
Jennifer Himburg says
So excited to follow along! I realize this is not want you want to hear, but I built a house at 24 (30 now) and put in stackable front loaders in the name of space. Hated it. Can’t even begin to tell you how not ideal it is and I can’t imagine if I had been washing for five. Just thought I would share- it seemed like a great idea for the exact same reasons you have, but never, never again.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Jennifer! No, I want to hear it… because there’s still time to change it. Can you tell me exactly why it was so bad? We have stackables in the apartment we’re staying in now, and I’ve actually thought it was totally doable, so I was wondering what specifically makes it hard? I do want to consider everything!
Rachel says
You are so funny. #aintnobodygottimeforthat will never get old. ? Loved how you put an official bodies that are crammed into crawl space on your floor plans. ???
Shannon says
Have you considered flipping the laundry and storage spaces? I would think with a family of 5 you’d want more laundry space (especially coming from the huge laundry room you had before). Also, I understand the issues you’ve got about the septic, etc. but if you’re going to have to add a separate tank or increase the capacity of the existing one anyway for the addition, are you sure you don’t want to add a half bath in the garage space so you don’t have kids and eventual teenagers (or any guests for that matter) having to use your master bathroom or go all the way upstairs? So excited to follow your adventure!
ashley @ the handmade home says
YES Shannon! Great ideas. Thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestions. We are carefully taking a look at everything – I think because the basement has been put on hold for now, I’ve been obsessing over the kitchen area. Getting ready to switch gears, and with our budget, it just may need to be studded out for later down the line. Which we would be totally fine with. Taking a long hard look at it along side our plumber and contractor. Thank you for your thoughtful comments – I feel like I’m already becoming house blind, feeling so bogged down with all the choices at once. So these are great!